Bendy buses set to be replaced

London Mayor Boris Johnson's pledge to phase out bendy buses in the capital looks set to become a reality after the announcement that 83 of the vehicles will be removed from three routes next autumn.

The ultra-long buses are to be replaced with conventional single-decker and double-decker vehicles when contracts with the private company operators expire in the second half of next year.

Because of the decreased capacity in the "conventional" vehicles, frequencies will be increased on the three routes affected - the 38, 507 and 521.

Mr Johnson said: "During the election, I promised that I would phase out bendy buses, and today I can announce their demise has begun, which means the first bendy buses being removed from our streets next summer.

"Many Londoners, particularly cyclists, see the awkward elongated bulk of the bendy bus as completely unsuitable for the city's streets, and during the election this became a huge issue."

He added: "I am making sure the buses are removed in the most cost-effective way, and today's new contract announcement marks the beginning of the end for the bendy bus in London."